PREMIER PRE HOLIDAY AUCTION
Lot 50:
Description
Pair of Frank Gehry/Knoll Cross Check Armchairs, circa 1998
Pair of Frank Gehry (Canadian/American, b. 1929). Cross Check Armchairs, for Knoll International US. Originally designed in 1992, constructed of strips of white maple laminate. Chairs have branded marks for ‘Knoll’, as well as ‘Gehry’ signature, and ‘Made in U.S.A. 04/98’.
In 1992 Frank Gehry created his original collection of bentwood furniture for Knoll, primarily consisting of chairs. The ribbon-like designs transcend the conventions of style by exploring the essential challenge of deriving form from function. Gehry’s inspiration came from ordinary bushel baskets. With its ribbon-like tendrils interconnecting to form the back, legs, and arms, the sculpturally flowing use of materials reflects his architecture. “…all bentwood furniture until now has relied on a thick and heavy main structure and then an intermediary structure for the seating.
Gehry speaking of the design: "The difference in my chairs is that structure and the seat are formed of the same incredible lightweight slender wood strops which serve both functions. The material forms a single and continuous idea. What makes this all work and gives it extraordinary strength is the interwoven, basket-like character of the design.”
Gehry is considered to be among the most acclaimed architects of the 20th century, and is known for his use of bold, postmodern shapes and unusual fabrications. Frank Gehry was born Frank Owen Goldberg in toronto, canada in 1929. He later changed his surname. He studied at the university of southern california and the harvard graduate school of design. After leaving harvard, he returned to california, making a name for himself with the launch of his ‘Easy Edges’ cardboard furniture line. The Easy Edges pieces, crafted from layers of corrugated cardboard, were sold between 1969 and 1973. He began designing homes in southern california on a regular basis starting in the 1980’s.
As he began to achieve celebrity status, his work took on a grander scale. His high-concept buildings, include the walt disney concert hall in downtown los angeles, the dancing house in prague and the guggenheim museum building in bilbao, spain. His recent projects include the new guggenheim facility in abu dhabi, as well as facebook headquarters in california.
34" high x 27" wide x 26 1/2" deep. Seat height – 18 1/2" high.
Condition: Good commensurate with age and use.
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